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Appendix A. Updating system programs
This appendix contains information about updating system programs and how to
recover from a POST/BIOS update failure.
System programs
System programs are the basic layer of software that is built into your computer.
They include the power-on self-test (POST), the basic input/output system (BIOS)
code, and the Setup Utility program. POST is a set of tests and procedures that is
performed each time you turn on your computer. BIOS is a layer of software that
translates instructions from other layers of software into electrical signals that the
computer hardware can understand. You can use the Setup Utility program to
view and change the configuration and setup of your computer.
Your computer system board has a module called electrically erasable programmable
read-only memory (EEPROM, also referred to as flash memory). You can easily update
POST, BIOS, and the Setup Utility program by starting your computer using a
flash update diskette or by running a special update program from your operating
system.
IBM might make changes and enhancements to the system programs. When
updates are released, they are available as downloadable files on the World Wide
Web (see the Quick Reference). Instructions for using the system program updates
are available in a .txt file that is included with the update files. For most models,
you can download either an update program to create a system-program-update
(flash) diskette or an update program that can be run from the operating system.
Updating (flashing) BIOS from a diskette or CD-ROM
To update (flash) the BIOS from a diskette or CD, do the following:
1. Insert a system program update (flash) diskette or CD-ROM into the diskette
2. Turn on the computer. If it is on already, you must turn it off and back on
3. When you are prompted to select a language, press the number on your
4. When prompted to change the serial number, press Y.
5. Type in the seven character serial number of your computer then press Enter.
6. When prompted to change the machine type/model, press Y.
© Copyright IBM Corp. 2005
Important
Start the Setup Utility program to view your system information. See
"Starting the Setup Utility" in your Quick Reference or the Hardware
Maintenance Manual. If the serial number and the machine type/model listed
on the Main menu do not match what is printed on the label of your
computer, you must update (flash) the BIOS to change the serial number and
the machine type/model.
drive or optical drive. System program updates are available at
http://www.ibm.com/pc/support on the World Wide Web.
again. The update begins.
keyboard which corresponds to the language then press Enter.
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